Thurgood Marshall was inspired to become a lawyer by his experiences with racial discrimination. He faced segregation and other forms of racism throughout his life, and he believed that the law could be used to fight for equality and justice for African Americans. He also saw the law as a way to challenge the existing social and political structures that perpetuated inequality. Marshall was determined to use his legal skills to help dismantle the system of racial segregation and discrimination that existed in the United States, and to pave the way for a more just and equal society.